The good news: Some essential workers, including Border Patrol agents, air traffic controllers and meat inspectors, will remain on the job. The bad news: Somehow, Congress is still considered “essential.”

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Tartar or ketchup? A tough season ended on a bitter note for fans of the Seattle Mariners, who along with absorbing the loss of manager Eric Wedge, watched the M’s lose to Oakland, 9-0.

Fans who watched the final game drowned their sorrows by splitting one order of garlic fries, with plenty left over for the seagulls.